What is NEXUS?
NEXUS is a joint trusted traveler program between the United States and Canada that provides expedited processing for pre-screened, low-risk travelers. The program is designed to facilitate faster border crossings while maintaining security standards for both countries.
NEXUS members enjoy several benefits including dedicated lanes at land border crossings, access to NEXUS kiosks at participating airports, expedited processing at marine reporting locations, and TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic flights within the United States.
The program is jointly administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), ensuring that members meet the security requirements of both countries.
Who is Eligible?
NEXUS is available to citizens and permanent residents of both the United States and Canada. Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable program are also eligible to apply.
All applicants must be admissible to both countries and pass comprehensive background checks. There are no age restrictions for the program, though children under 18 require parental consent and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the interview process.
The Application Process
The NEXUS application process involves several key steps:
- Online Application: Submit your application through the Trusted Traveler Programs website, providing personal information and answering eligibility questions.
- Payment: Pay the non-refundable application fee (currently $50 USD for a 5-year membership).
- Background Checks: Both CBP and CBSA conduct background checks, which can take several weeks to months.
- Conditional Approval: If your application passes initial review, you'll receive conditional approval and can schedule an interview.
- Interview: Attend an in-person interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center, where officers from both countries will verify your information and take biometric data.
- Final Approval: After a successful interview, you'll receive final approval and your NEXUS card will be mailed to you.
Processing times vary significantly based on application type, citizenship status, and current processing volumes. Initial applications typically take longer than renewals.
About TrackMyCase.info
TrackMyCase.info is a free, community-driven service designed to help NEXUS applicants track their application processing timelines and understand typical processing times. With 12 cases tracked by the community, the service provides valuable insights into the NEXUS application process.
The service allows you to:
- Track your application timeline from submission to card receipt
- Compare your processing time with other applicants
- View statistics on average processing times
- Monitor your application status and milestones
- Help others by sharing your timeline data
TrackMyCase.info is completely free to use and privacy-focused. You can view all cases without creating an account, and when you do create an account, your information is used only for authentication and case management.
Important: TrackMyCase.info is an independent service and is not affiliated with CBP, CBSA, or any government agency. It is a community tool created to help applicants understand and track NEXUS application processing times.
How to Use TrackMyCase.info
Getting started with TrackMyCase.info is simple:
- Browse Cases: You can view all tracked cases on the main page without creating an account. This gives you immediate insights into processing times.
- Create an Account (Optional): To track your own case, sign up for a free account. This allows you to add and manage your case information.
- Add Your Case: Enter your application date and other relevant details such as application type, citizenship status, and number of applicants.
- Update Milestones: As your application progresses, update your case with milestone dates: conditional approval, interview scheduled, application approved, and card received.
- View Statistics: The service automatically calculates and displays average processing times based on all tracked cases, helping you understand what to expect.
Understanding Application Statuses
NEXUS applications progress through several distinct statuses:
- Pending Review: Your application has been submitted and is undergoing initial review and background checks. This is the default status when you first submit your application.
- Conditionally Approved: Your application has passed initial review and you've been conditionally approved. You can now schedule your in-person interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center.
- Interview Scheduled: You've scheduled your interview appointment. Make sure to bring all required documents and arrive on time.
- Application Approved: You've successfully completed your interview and received final approval. Your NEXUS card will be mailed to you.
- Card Received: You've received your physical NEXUS card and can begin using the program benefits immediately.
